MASTER BEDROOM

His knuckles brushed gently against the skin of her back. He was appreciating every inch of her through the backless thin, white summer dress she had on. It had these lace patterns on the edges.

"I thought you said you were going to help me get dressed," Lucy smiled as she stared at him through the mirror. She was fixing her golden hair into a bun, a messy one; and yet she still looked beautiful to him.

He smirked, meeting her eyes through the glass. His shirtless figure stood behind her, the ironed black suit prepared for him still placed on the bed, untouched.

"I did, but we could always get back to bed," Natsu muttered while he placed a kiss on her nape, earning a giggle from the other, "...and continue what it was that we were doing earlier."

She turned and met his gaze.

"While that sounds tempting, I will have to stop you right there," she said as she walked over to the bed, putting an extra shirt for him into a mini luggage, "Get ready. It's a little late and everyone's waiting."

"Aren't you packing a lot? We'll be back by tomorrow evening."

"Better to have a spare than nothing," she hummed, zipping the luggage close and attempting to get it off the bed, "And have yet to make sure if everyone hasn't forgotten to bring everything else."

"Leave it," he stopped her, "And I'll take care of it all. Go ahead and check on Lucas."

Lucy smiled, walked up to him and  gave him a quick peck on the lips. "Thankyou, honey. I'll be waiting outside."

He watched her leave the room with light strides. Natsu always made sure she didn't have to do a lot of work, considering her condition.

Three years has passed, and now Lucas was turning 11. It was upon the request of the heir to have his birthday celebrated at their summer house. This was what the early ruckus in the compound was all about.

Lucas didn't really want a celebration at all, but his mother argued otherwise. So, what better way to have a less stressful day than have everyone enjoy the view of nature at their own lake house. He didn't really need a break, but he knew it was what his mother needed—a stress-free day.

Lucy's episodes of fainting had gotten worse over the past years, this was hard for the family not to notice. It was a big deal and everyone would make a commotion during the first few incidents. But as time passed, everyone learned how to handle the situation; careful enough not to put her into a state of depression.

No verbal agreement was made but they understood not to talk about it, especially in her presence.

It was 'a case of anemia' as Gildarts Clive would call it. At first, this raised doubts within the family. But believing that Lucy's miscarriage with the second child was the major factor, this made it acceptable. The doctor was a trusted member of the family way before many of them were even born. They had no reason to doubt him.

It was only the heir who noticed the discussions that Gildarts and his father would have after every consultation.

.

.

.

The rays of sunshine reflected on the black cars, each one owned by people of the family. Driving one after the other.

It was a refreshing drive. Natsu was on the wheels with Lucy at the front seat. Cherry blossom trees lined the sides of the road; a never-ending sea of green grass covered the earth. What's more, there was no traffic. No loud sound of the beeping cars and pollution.

"It's nice to be away from all that city air once in a while," Lucy started. "Look, the mountains look like paintings."

"I'm glad you're enjoying the scenery, mother," Lucas replied with a sweet smile.

"Of course I am, darling. But today is not about me," she turned to face him who was sitting at the backseat of the car. "Happy Birthday, Lucas."

The heir's smile never faded, just looking at her happy face.

"Your present's waiting for you, you'll see it when we get there," Natsu added.

"Natsu!" Lucy slapped his shoulder, giving him a face, "It was supposed to be a surprise."

"I can't help it," he chuckled, "Even I'm getting thrilled."

And they both continued to fuss about it. Lucas wouldn't trade that moment for anything else in the world. At that moment, he felt like they were just an ordinary family out on a vacation. Far from the threats of the world they truly lived in, far from being the Don and Lady.

.

.

.

.

"Wow...," Lucas' cousin, Diva, was the first one to break the silence, "That's a pretty gift right there."

The trio: Lucas, Diva, and Gin all stared at the silver Bugatti parked just beside the huge wooden Lakehouse.

"Here's the gift that comes along with it," Lucy handed Lucas a black box, "Surprise!"

The three were still speechless at the sight of the present. Even the others were admiring the view. Gajeel was inspecting the tires like an expert. Freed was checking himself out at the reflection on the window.

Raven-head approached the lot, whistling in awe.

"Can't wait for it to be my birthday too," he teased as he stood beside the Don.

"Sure, I'll get you a lot of shirts, Gray," Natsu replied with a smirk.

Lucas turned to his mother, "Honestly, I have no words right now...thank you," he gave a look at both of his parents, a faint blush was not obvious-but it was there.

"But," Natsu started in a stern but concerned voice, "You'll only get to use it if Laxus says you're ready."

"Dad gets to teach you," Gin said to the heir, "I might as well pay attention."

"Everyone!" Mirajane called out their attention as she clapped her hands together, a bright grin on her face. She was standing by the wooden doors of the two-storey lake house, "The preparations aren't going to prepare themself. Chop chop!"

And with that, everyone scattered and did whatever it was they were tasked to do.

.

.

The lakehouse was surrounded with black pines, perfectly maintained green grass, and just beside the house was the wide calm waters of the lake. Cherry blossom trees grew on the other side of the water, with blue faded mountains far beyond the background.

The other children of the family, Levy's and Juvia's sons who were three years younger than Lucas were playing tag. Well, even the adults played along, Elfman to be exact.

It was like any other outing ordinary families would have. Some doing barbecues, building tents, and gathering materials for a potential bonfire at night. While the women of the family were busy with the food, Rogue, Lyon, and the other men were hitting the beers already as well—with the addition of Cana.

"I don't see Jellal anywhere, didn't he come with?" Lucy started. She and Natsu were walking down by the wooden deck just by the lake.

"He had work to attend to. One of his casinos he said," Natsu loosened one of the row-boats tied to the deck, getting on it afterwards and gently pulling Lucy along. "Erza's here with their boy, don't worry too much about it."

They both rowed away from the lakehouse, they could see the figures of the others getting tinier as they floated away.

Natsu stopped when they were a good distance from the noise.

"What a perfect weather. No sun, no rain, just blue skies, and a good view," Natsu commented with his voice sounding so serious.

"I agree." She closed her eyes in content and breathed in the gentle wind.

"Should we head back?" He asked, observing her.

Lucy opened her eyes and let out a quiet laugh.

"We only just got here. You're being too worried again," she said, "I'm fine, Natsu."

He stared at her,  looking only at her face as she continued to talk and point at whatever she saw that amused her. Natsu's ears were shut from the world. He could only see her face grinning brightly and hear his own heart saying, 

"God, please give us more years."

.

.

.

It was dark.

It looked like an abandoned office.

Papers scattered everywhere in the room. It appeared like it hadn't been used for a very long time, anyone could tell with the faint mist of dust hovering all over the place. Only a little ray of light from the sun entered through the round window glass on the wall.

A silhouette of a person stood there, holding a photo.

As this person stared longer at it, the hand that held the piece of paper started to tremble.